Tuesday, August 21, 2007

MotoGP, Czech Republic: Rossi unable to make an impression at Brno

Casey Stoner: "There it is, I can see the world championship now!"

Given what’s happened over the last few races, we weren’t expecting any miracles. And none happened. Ducati rider Casey Stoner lead the race at Brno right from the beginning and finished in first place – this was his seventh victory of the season.

Suzuki rider John Hopkins, who’ll be moving to Kawasaki next year, rode very well to finish in second place, albeit almost eight seconds behind Stoner. Still, this was Hopkins’ best finish in MotoGP and if this recent improvement in his form continues, Kawasaki may have some good results to look forward to in 2008!

Nicky Hayden took third place at Brno, behind Stoner and HopkinsValentino Rossi, it seems, will indeed be unable to win the championship this year

In third was reigning MotoGP world champ Nicky Hayden, followed by teammate Dani Pedrosa. While Yamaha have been unable to make any progress, HRC finally seem to have pulled their act together.

Aussie Chris Vermeulen finished in fifth place, Capirossi – who’s moving to Suzuki next year – took sixth, while Valentino Rossi was in seventh place. His teammate Colin Edwards, who’ll move to the Tech 3 Yamaha team next year, did not finish the race due to engine failure. Overall, despite Brno being a superb circuit, we must say the Czech Republic MotoGP was the dullest, most boring race of the season so far.

For those who still care, Rossi is now 60 world championship points behind Stoner, who effectively seems to have won the 2007 MotoGP world championship already.

The women of MotoGP! The racing may have been dull, but at least Brno had other things to offer... :-)